A huge wildfire swept across Canford Heath nature reserve in Dorset on Saturday evening, destroying approximately 17 hectares of ecologically important heathland and forcing the evacuation of 20 homes. The blaze, described by fire crews as the largest in the area for years, threatened rare species including smooth snakes, sand lizards, and Dartford warblers.
Eighty firefighters and 25 vehicles battled the fire, which broke out at around 5pm and was largely under control by 10.30pm. Strong winds and unusually dry vegetation fuelled the rapid spread. Residents were evacuated to a nearby leisure centre and returned home later that night. A police helicopter was deployed on Sunday to disperse onlookers trying to photograph the scene.
Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service group manager Graham Kewley said the fire was likely started by a human act, but described it as 'reckless rather than malicious'. No evidence of a barbecue or camp fire was found. Kewley noted that an unseasonably dry April had left gorse and vegetation tinder-dry, contributing to the fire's intensity.
Local resident Alex Saxby, who has lived in Canford Heath for 16 years, said it was one of the worst fires he had ever seen, spreading rapidly from the top to the bottom of the heath. Another resident, Elizabeth Leddy, described the smoke plume as unlike any previous heath fire.
The fire reached fence lines of several properties but was stopped before damaging homes. The ecological impact on Canford Heath, the largest lowland heath in the UK and a site of special scientific interest, is yet to be quantified. Dorset Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone with relevant footage to come forward to assist the investigation.
